Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
भुशुण्डिभिश्चक्रगदर्ष्टिपट्टिशै: शक्त्युल्मुकै: प्रासपरश्वधैरपि । निस्त्रिंशभल्लै: परिघै: समुद्गरै: सभिन्दिपालैश्च शिरांसि चिच्छिदु: ॥ ३६ ॥
bhuśuṇḍibhiś cakra-gadarṣṭi-paṭṭiśaiḥ śakty-ulmukaiḥ prāsa-paraśvadhair api nistriṁśa-bhallaiḥ parighaiḥ samudgaraiḥ sabhindipālaiś ca śirāṁsi cicchiduḥ
They severed one another’s heads, using weapons like bhuśuṇḍis, cakras, clubs, ṛṣṭis, paṭṭiśas, śaktis, ulmukas, prāsas, paraśvadhas, nistriṁśas, lances, parighas, mudgaras and bhindipālas.
This verse depicts the intensity of the battlefield, listing many traditional weapons and stating that the combatants cut down opponents by severing their heads.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse to King Parīkṣit while describing the events of the Deva-Asura battle.
Even amid violent conflict, the Bhagavatam’s broader lesson is to seek refuge in the Lord and align with dharma rather than be consumed by aggression and rivalry.